FISHERMEN are still raiding the seas and taking 40% more fish than they are allowed to catch each year in some regions, allegedly putting the survival of several species in doubt.

THE debate on the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill has been characterised to date by the quality of scrutiny by the Oireachtas Joint Committee.

The Irish Fish Producing Organisation is rejecting reports that a large scale illegal fishing scam is operating in Irish waters.

OVERFISHING continues to be a major problem in the EU - some stocks are threatened with extinction - and Ireland had one of the worst records for 2004, according to the EU.

THOUSANDS of fishers and onshore industry workers will stage a peaceful protest today against planned new legislation to extend criminal sanctions for fishing offences.

AN AGEING population is threatening the long-term viability of the fishing industry and the communities who rely on it, according to senior figures.

DINGLE fishermen paid their own personal tribute to former Taoiseach Charles Haughey yesterday by unveiling a bronze bust of their “very good friend” in the harbour.

THE threat of further port blockades by scallop fishermen evaporated yesterday as the Government announced a €45m scheme to remove a quarter of the Irish whitefish fleet.

THE fishing industry serves this country well, but too often its well-being has been ill-considered to the extent that those engaged in it could justifiably feel that theirs was the cinderella industry.

Fishing groups have lobbied the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to restore marine interests to a full ministerial post.

THE fishing industry has broadly welcomed the decision by the Fisheries Council in Brussels to increase the quantity of fish Irish and other EU fishermen can catch in the coming year.

THE place of science in everyday life — from the mobile phone to the microwave — will be among the subjects to be looked at closely at the 41st annual conference of the Irish Science Teachers’ Association (ISTA), in Tralee, Co Kerry, at the weekend.

DONEGAL trawlermen are to get extra government funding to help them combat tough new EU fishing restrictions.

THE Government is prepared to take Spain to the European Court if its fishermen try to catch stocks off the Irish coast, Marine Minister Dermot Ahern warned yesterday.